A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 28-32 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to judicial deference.

SB 2285 would require North Dakota courts to interpret state laws, regulations, and rules without deferring to administrative agencies' interpretations. It directly affects state agencies (like environmental or health departments) that create regulations and courts that review those regulations. The bill's key provision mandates that after applying standard interpretation rules, courts must resolve any remaining ambiguity against increasing agency authority. The bill failed to pass in the Senate in March 2025, with 31 votes in favor and 57 against.